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District 214 culinary students receive $35,000 in scholarship funds

A team of District 214 culinary arts students placed second at a competition hosted by the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and won more than $35,000 in scholarship funds to several culinary universities and colleges throughout the U.S.

The team competed in the 16th Annual Illinois ProStart Invitational on March 4. This was the students’ first time competing in this invitational.

Led by ProStart teachers Maggie Sheehy and Ronna Pflanz, the team of five, comprised of students from Buffalo Grove and Wheeling high schools, earned a second place finish.

ProStart is a national, two-year program for high school students that teaches industry-supported culinary techniques to management skills, provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills. The curriculum addresses necessary critical skills, meets Illinois State Board of Education learning standards and offers nationally recognized certifications.

District 214 students can earn an Illinois Sanitation License, dual credit for both levels of coursework and honors credit for level two of the ProStart curriculum.

“This award is a testament to the high level of dedication and professionalism of both the teachers and students,” said Buffalo Grove’s Career and Technical Education Division Head Jeff Bott. “We are extremely proud of this accomplishment, especially since this is their first time competing in this event.”